Superb Gavin ends Welborn in seventh round

The first defence of Frankie Gavin's British welterweight title saw the champion produce something of a boxing masterclass on Friday as he defeated Jason Welborn via seventh-round stoppage at Walsall Town Hall.

Gavin, who won the famous Lonsdale belt from Junior Witter in November, barely allowed his foe to land a glove on him as he turned on the style in an impressive display. A body shot sparked the end, with a follow-up barrage of shots forcing the referee's intervention at 2.35 of round seven.

Countering smartly from his southpaw stance, Gavin's timing was excellent in the early exchanges, while his defence ensured Welborn missed with almost everything he threw.

Welborn was the man walking forward at all times but that only played into Gavin's gameplan as he countered off the back foot. Round five was a lazy one by the champion, but he responded to his corner's criticism by landing a hard left in the sixth, working upstairs and downstairs to bloody his rival.

The accumulation of those body shots paid off when Welborn dropped to his knees in the seventh, and Gavin unleashed on his opponent against the ropes to end the fight.

The 27-year-old will now look to make one or two further defences of his crown, before turning his attentions to European and world honours. Speaking ahead of the fight, Gavin had outlined such a plan.

"I've been told I'll be fighting again in April and then in June," Gavin said. "Then in September I want another fight, perhaps for the European title or maybe an international or interim world title. By the end of the year I'll be ready for a world title."

Earlier in the night, Martin Gethin proved too good for Ben Murphy as he claimed the vacant British lightweight title. After a close start to the fight Gethin took control from the fourth round onwards, finding a home for his straight punches as Murphy faded, and the stoppage eventually arrived in the ninth round.

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